Whether you live in Worcester or Boston or anywhere in the world, points of entry to your home – doors and windows – are pretty much the first place a thief will go when trying to break into your home. For this reason, strong locks, sturdy doors and shatterproof glass are essential, even if you have a security system.

Doors are so easily kicked so don’t ever use hollow! Either use solid wood or wood that is reinforced inside with steel. Solid metal is best.  Aluminum is not a good choice. Make sure your door frame is reinforced, as well.

Door locks – a dead bolt or a knob-in-lock set with a dead latch are your two best choices. The strike plate should be the heavy-duty kind, secured with four, long (3-inch) screws.

Doors and locks aren’t a place to go cheap. Even if the thief ignores the alarm sign in your yard and stickers on your doors and windows, and makes it to your door without being seen, a sturdy lock and a burly door can still keep him or her on the outside. Keeping your doors and windows locked  are the basics and can make the biggest difference.  If he finds the key in your moat, it’s all over. So make sure that lily pad looks like the real thing.